Abstract
Dietary fat composition can interfere in the development of obesity due to the specific roles of some fatty acids that have different metabolic activities, which can alter both fat oxidation and deposition rates, resulting in changes in body weight and/or composition. High-fat diets in general are associated with hyperphagia, but the type of dietary fat seems to be more important since saturated fats are linked to a positive fat balance and omental adipose tissue accumulation when compared to other types of fat, while polyunsaturated fats, omega-3 and omega-6, seem to increase energy expenditure and decrease energy intake by specific mechanisms involving hormone-sensitive lipase, activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and others. Saturated fat intake can also impair insulin sensitivity compared to omega-3 fat, which has the opposite effect due to alterations in cell membranes. Obesity is also associated with impaired mitochondrial function. Fat excess favors the production of malonyl-CoA, which reduces GLUT4 efficiency. The tricarboxylic acid cycle and beta-oxidation are temporarily uncoupled, forming metabolite byproducts that augment reactive oxygen species production. Exercise can restore mitochondrial function and insulin sensitivity, which may be crucial for a better prognosis in treating or preventing obesity.
Highlights
Ever since health complications caused by obesity were demonstrated, many studies have been conducted in order to identify the main factors that contribute to its development
The objective of this review is to connect the interactions of dietary fat, different fatty acids and exercise to metabolic parameters normally impaired in obesity
High-fat diets could lead to changes in adipose tissue deposition, in mitochondrial functions and in insulin sensitivity
Summary
Ever since health complications caused by obesity were demonstrated, many studies have been conducted in order to identify the main factors that contribute to its development. The role of genetics in the etiology of obesity has been extensively investigated. Some investigators emphasize that the difference in the prevalence of obesity in some population groups is related to environmental factors, especially diet and reduction of physical activity [3]. These aspects, interacting or not with genetic factors, could explain at least in part the excess body fat observed in large proportions worldwide
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